David Miller Civic Nationalism

In my previous sections, I defined what a nation is, dictated what constitutes a good nation, and differentiated between ethnic and civic nationalism. In this section, I will advocate for the existence of civic nationalism in liberal society by demonstrating its merits. David Miller in his introduction to On Nationality dismisses the claim that nationalism is “some kind of elemental force outside of human control, like a tidal wave.” I agree with Miller that nationalism is not an unavoidable force, nationalism is not a plague that sweeps onto mankind, but a choice of belief. However, I will maintain the stance that the underlying cause of nationalism, known by many terms such as factionalism, tribalism, and in-group bias, is a natural force. This idea is not new and has been a bedrock of much political philosophy throughout history from Plato to the American Founders. James Madison in Federalist Papers 10 asserts that so long as man possesses different political

Because of this, the western world again must face and defeat the rise of ethnic nationalism that persists in reactionary politics. However, nationalism is not inherently a negative phenomenon, and the characteristics of nationalism are tied closely to the values and principles of the nation. The liberal world is blessed to be built on the values and principles that constitute a moral nation, and therefore have the capacity to deploy a brand of civic nationalism that is expansive in its moral concern and a positive influence on the society which embraces it. Though utopian ideals of pan-humanist solidarity and principles of cosmopolitan morality are attractive sentiments, it stands that these are relatively unachievable goals. Therefore, civic nationalism stands as the best and most proper remedy to the tribal inclinations that plague human